Worcester murder-suicide shakes community

Police identified the victims of an apparent murder-suicide on Lamar Avenue as Donna Zollo Pisarczyk, 47, and Israel Gonzalez, 42.

Mr. Gonzalez was confirmed to be a Worcester State University police officer.

The bodies of the victims — a boyfriend and girlfriend, according to police — were discovered by police officers on a well-being check shortly before midnight Friday. Police said the couple died from apparent gunshot wounds.

Police, while terming the case an apparent murder-suicide, did not identify which of the two fired the gun.

“It is with deep regret that I share the tragic news of the untimely death of Worcester State University employee Israel “Izzy” Gonzalez,” WSU president Barry M. Maloney said. “An 11-year veteran of our University Police force, Izzy passed this weekend. We extend our condolences to his family. Details about funeral arrangements will be shared when they become available.”

Carl A. Herrin, assistant to the president for international, community and governmental affairs, said Mr. Gonzalez had a clean record in his 11 years on the department. He called Mr. Gonzalez a “model employee.”

Mr. Gonzalez, who worked a day shift, always had a smile and a good comment to staff at the university, Mr. Herrin said.

Mr. Herrin said Mr. Gonzalez's department handgun was secured at the university after his last shift. Officers need special permission to have their handguns off campus.

“He had secured it when he left,” Mr. Herrin said.

Mr. Herrin said that based on his work, Mr. Gonzalez would have interacted with staff and faculty on a regular basis.

Grief counseling is available for employees and students at Worcester State University. University Counseling Center staff will be available to meet with faculty and staff on a walk-in basis from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today in the Presidents Dining Room, in the Student Center.

Counseling Center staff will also be available to support students by individual appointment as needed.

Police were called to the 16 Lamar Ave. home about 11:30 p.m. Friday. A woman had called police worried because she hadn't heard from her friend. Police headed to the home to check.

Officers found a side door unlocked and, once inside, they found the dead man and woman.

Family of Ms. Zollo Pisarczyk were at the home Sunday afternoon, but declined to speak to a reporter. The daughter of Ms. Zollo Pisarczyk did write on her Twitter account about the loss of her mother.

Jennifer Zollo's grandmother, Marie Zollo, who lived in the home shared by the family, died on June 8. The obituary for Marie Zollo lists Donna M. Zollo as her daughter and Jennifer Zollo as her granddaughter.

“Who would've thought that in less than a week, the 2 most important people in my life would both be taken from me?” Jennifer Zollo wrote on Twitter. “I love you mommy & nonni.”